Content delivery to a digital TV using a low-power frequency converted RF signal

ABSTRACT

A simple antenna is connected to the RF input port on a conventional digital TV to receive video content from a plurality of video content sources wirelessly. The video content sources, such as a DVD player and cable/satellite box, may generate baseband signals in a variety of formats. The baseband signals are connected to a remote converter for converting the baseband signals to a low power RF transmission having a standard format typically received at the digital TV&#39;s RF input. The RF transmission has a range generally limited to within a home or room. The small antenna connected to the RF input of the digital TV will typically be located behind the TV so as not to be seen. The low power RF transmission is on a carrier frequency that is legally authorized by the FCC in frequency and power level.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.60/794,935, filed on Apr. 27, 2006, entitled Content Delivery to aDigital TV Using a Low-Power Frequency Converted RF Signal, by Jordan DuVal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and system for enabling the wirelessreception of a plurality of content sources by the RF input of a digitalTV.

BACKGROUND

Digital and analog TVs have a plurality of inputs for video contentsources, typically located on the back of the TV. These inputs typicallyinclude a Radio Frequency (RF) input, for the antenna/cable, andbaseband inputs for S-video, CVBS, HDMI, and other types of basebandinputs.

The RF signal has the video content modulated on a carrier frequency.Baseband signals input directly into the television are not modulated ona carrier frequency. To receive RF signals, the user must first tune tothe desired channel frequency by using a tuner (e.g., tune to 67.25 MHzto see content on broadcast Channel 4). The tuner can be found insidethe TV or in a set-top-box (STB) connected to the TV. Composite orS-Video outputs of DVD players and VCRs are examples of baseband signalsthat do not require the TV's tuner. To view the video content applied tothe baseband inputs of the TV, the user typically sets the input sourceusing the TV's remote control.

RF signals can come into the TV either from an antenna on the TV or morecommonly from a coaxial cable that is connected to an external TVantenna or cable feed from the local cable operator.

Using a small “rabbit ear” antenna directly on a TV is not a popularsolution as these antennas are usually low-gain with limited receptioncapability. Bigger higher gain antennas are better at receiving weaksignals. The input signal from the desired channel could be very weak asthe TV transmitter could be located miles away from the receivingantenna. Another reason why antenna inputs are not popular is they arelimited to receiving content only from terrestrial broadcasters (TVstations).

Typically the user must first connect wires from the signal source tothe appropriate input connector on the TV, either the RF input orappropriate baseband input. This necessitates running RF or basebandaudio/video wires from a content source (set top box, DVD, cable, TiVo,game console) to the TV. When TVs were large wooden boxes containingheavy CRTs, this was not a problem. There was usually plenty of space tohide wires behind the TV or somewhere in a large audio/video (A/V)cabinet. However, with the rising popularity of thin, flat screen LCDTVs and plasma display TVs, the aesthetics and practicality of running avariety of A/V wires from a source to the TV is compromised. Flat TVs donot need a lot of space and can be situated practically anywhere. Forexample many consumers may like to hang flat TVs on their walls like apicture. This creates a challenge: how does one get content to a flat TVwithout having to run a bunch of A/V wires? Reverting to “rabbit ear”antennas would not offer good reception, and this approach is limited toreceiving only terrestrial TV broadcasts. This will not help the flat TVin receiving other types of content commonly available in the home, suchas cable TV channels or a movie played from a DVD player.

Therefore, a method and system for enabling the wireless reception of aplurality of content sources by the RF input of a digital TV is highlydesirable.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of TVsignal connectivity options now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a system and method whereby a user can use a simplelow-cost antenna connected to the RF input connector on a conventionaldigital TV to receive a plurality of A/V content sources wirelessly.

The general function of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to transmit the A/V content to thedigital TV via a Local Content Converter (LCC). The content sources areconnected to the LCC, which contains a low power RF transmitter whoserange is generally limited to within a home or room. A small antenna isdirectly attached to the RF input of the digital TV to receive the lowpower RF transmission. The antenna may typically be located behind theTV so as not to be seen. The low power RF transmission is on a carrierfrequency that is legally authorized by the FCC, such as cable channel57, 421.25 MHz, or any other channel frequency. The LCC converts thebaseband signals (or other type of original format signal) from thecontent sources, which may be in a variety of formats, to a standardizedRF format that is normally received by a conventional digital TV at itsRF input. The TV then suitable converts the RF signal fordisplaying/playing the A/V content.

In another embodiment, the output of the LCC is directly connected tothe RF input of the digital TV using a coaxial cable.

In another embodiment, the LCC legally transmits, via an antenna, at afrequency within the ISM band (Industrial, Scientific, Medical band),and an ISM receiver connected to an input of the digital TV receives theRF signal. The ISM receiver then suitably converts the received signalinto a signal that can be processed by the TV.

This system and method has many of the advantages over otherconnectivity options mentioned heretofore. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and to the arrangements of the componentsset forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a robust systemand method that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior artsolutions.

A second object is to provide a system that utilizes the existing RFreception capability of the digital TV to receive content from aplurality sources wirelessly without the need of additional electronicsin the TV itself.

A further object is to provide a wireless content delivery system thatis simple and easy to utilize for the average consumer.

Another object is to provide a solution that does not requiresignificant programming prior to usage.

An additional object is to provide a system that is affordable.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeobvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects andadvantages be within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate systems and methods consistentwith the invention and, together with the description, serve to explainthe advantages, and principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a prior art entertainment system fordisplaying images on a TV from a content source;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a local content converter (LCC) systemused to transmit video images to a TV in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustration of components within the LCCdesigned in accordance with one implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram indicating the stages used by the LCC totransmit a signal for reception by the TV; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustration of components within the LCCdesigned in accordance with another implementation of the presentinvention including a tuner.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the LCC being directly connected to the RFinput of a digital TV by a cable, such as a coaxial cable.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the LCC transmitting on an ISM band, and anISM receiver connected to an input of the digital TV.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Local Content Converter (LCC) System

The present invention provides a method and a system for enabling thewireless reception of a plurality of content sources by the RF input ofa digital TV. This is achieved by converting the input signals into asignal compatible with the RF input of a conventional digital TV.

Prior art FIG. 1A illustrates a TV 124 and a content source device 120.Wires 122 connect the audio/video output of the content source to thebaseband inputs of the TV 124. However, this arrangement may not bedesirable or practical if the two devices reside far apart from eachother or if the TV is installed in such a fashion that the wires 122would be obtrusive.

FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of the invention. The user connects alocal content converter (LCC) 100 to at least one conventional contentsource 102 and connects a small antenna 111 to the back of the TV 110.The LCC 100 takes the input signal and converts it into a digitalbroadcast format native to the TV's own RF input handling capabilitiesso the TV does not distinguish between the signal transmitted by the LCC100 and a conventional RF signal applied to its RF input port. The TVremains tuned to the LCC's “local” channel to receive a video/audiosignal from the content source 102. The local channel is typically anychannel, which is not intended for commercial TV broadcast. The FCC hasidentified all of these allowable frequencies within a typical TV's RFinput's frequency range of 55.25 MHz to 997.25 MHz, along with themaximum allowable field strength, and such allowable frequencies arepublicly available. In one embodiment, the LCC 100 generates an RFsignal in the cable television channel frequency range of 289.25MHz-883.25 MHz.

The LCC 100 includes a transport stream encoder 104, a digitalremodulator 106, and a frequency converter/transmitter 108. Also shownare a conventional digital television receiver 110 and a content source102.

The TV receiver 110 is compatible with conventional terrestrial or cableanalog or digital standard broadcast signals such as NTSC, ATSC (digitaltelevision), QAM, DVB-C/T, ISDB-T/C, and PAL type television signals.

The LCC 100 provides content to television receiver 110 in a formatcompatible with digital TV terrestrial or cable transmission or anyother format used to display images on a television.

LCC 100 transmits content wirelessly from its antenna 107 to a receivingantenna 111 on the TV receiver 110. The wireless connection enables theLCC 100 to broadcast images to one or more televisions in a nearby areawithout physical cabling. The LCC 100 can also receive content fromexternal devices (wireless content sources 114) over an input terminalhaving a wireless connection, a physical connection, or a combination ofboth. The LCC output (shown connected to antenna 107) couldalternatively be connected to the standard video RF input terminal ontelevision 110 using a coax cable if desired, such as if there wereinterference in the RF transmission.

The content source 102 can be a conventional DVD player, set top box (acable or satellite decoder box), computer, or any other device thatproduces image data. The connection between the video content source 102and the LCC 100 may be any type of digital and/or analog streamconnection, S-Video, CVBS, PAL, YbPbR, RBG, HDMI, or any other type ofvideo format link having a standard physical interface. Modern videocontent sources typically couple baseband signals to the back of adigital TV using phono plugs, and there may be twenty or more phono plugreceptacles on the back of the TV to accommodate multiple plugs persource and multiple sources. There is typically only one RF coax inputreceptacle on the back of a TV for connection to a cable box or anantenna. The LCC 100, in one embodiment, has phono plug receptacles asvideo content inputs resembling the back of the TV. The video contentsources plug into the LCC 100 just as they would plug into the back ofthe TV. The LCC 100 then converts these baseband signals into an RFtransmission that is received by the small antenna 111 connected to theRF input of the TV, where the format of the RF transmission is the typethat is normally received by the TV for demodulation, decoding, anddisplaying on the TV screen.

A wireless content source 114 can be used to send video content over awireless connection to the LCC 100 rather than a physical connection.The wireless content source 114 (such as a PC) could be used to sendcontent over a wireless networking protocol for processing andtransmission by the LCC 100. The communication link between the LCC 100and the wireless content source 114 may include other radio frequency(RF) communication links such as 802.11XX or UWB.

Images transferred to the LCC 100 by any content source are processedusing various image processing routines before being displayed.

Wireless RF digital transmission to the TV receiver 110 is preferablefor a variety of reasons. In the preferred mode of this invention, thetransmission link to the digital TV receiver 110 is achieved wirelesslyby an antenna 107 on the LCC 100 transmitting to an antenna 111connected to digital TV receiver 110. This link could also be achievedby a single low-cost coax cable. By using a transmission formatcompatible with the RF input of a digital TV, one can deliver a robustquality signal at low power (e.g., 200 microvolts/meter) over a shortdistance (e.g., up to 20 feet).

The LCC 100 can either be manually set or automatically set to avoidinterfering broadcast channels in either the TV or cable transmissionbands. In this way, it is possible to send a signal from the LCC 100 tothe TV receiver 110 without violating FCC or other internationalguidelines for RF transmission. Under FCC rules, this would be allowableunder a Class 15 intentionally radiating device, provided the radiatingpower is low enough. This process can also be used to transmit contentto any number of consumer electronic devices within range.

To view the content the user would tune the digital TV to the desired TVor cable channel using instructions outlined in their TV's owner manual.For example this can be accomplished by either directly selectingchannel 57 cable or instructing the TV to scan for content available onthe desired frequency (cable channel 57, 421.25 MHz).

The FCC does not permit non-spurious radiated emissions in an allocatedterrestrial broadcast frequency (for example channel 8, 181.25 MHz).However, non-spurious radiated emissions in a cable channel frequencyband (for example channel 57, 421.25 MHz) are permitted provided themeasured field strength of the emissions is low enough (i.e., less than200 microvolts/meter). Most new digital TV are equipped to receive bothdigital cable and terrestrial broadcast signals at a field strength lessthan 200 microvolts/meter. This invention takes advantage of this recentadvance in digital TVs in a fashion unintended by the industry. In thepresent example, the content sources are converted to a digital cablechannel (e.g., channel 57 421.25 MHz) for low-power localizedtransmission. This invention capitalizes on the conventional digital TVsability to demodulate either QAM or VSB signals. The LCC 100 is capableof transmodulating the content source signal from VSB to QAM or QAM toVSB for design convenience and cost savings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustration of components within the LCC 100,designed in accordance with one implementation of the present invention.LCC 100 includes a transport stream (TS) encoder 104, a digitalremodulator 106, and a frequency converter 108 that transmits thecontent to the TV receiver 110. Also shown is an optional Ethernetinterface 230. This system takes a plurality of input streams(containing video/audio content) and converts them to a transport stream208, applies error correction preprocessing using a DSP 210 prior tomodulation 214, and provides frequency up-conversion by frequencyconverter 108 for low-power transmission.

Transport stream encoder 104 takes either analog or digital TV styleinputs and converts them into a transport stream (TS) format. In thisexample, this block is comprised of an analog audio/video decoder 202, adata converter 204, and an MPEG encoder 206. The data converter 204could be an A/D converter or and HDMI interface depending on the systemimplementation. This block should be able to convert any desired inputtype into a transport stream 208. An H.264 transport stream can also begenerated. The transport stream encoder 104 is capable of handlinganalog TV signals 220 in composite or component formats in a variety ofsignal standards including NTSC, PAL, or SECAM. The transport streamencoder 104 is also capable of handling digital TV signals 222 incomposite or component formats in a variety of signal standardsincluding NTSC, PAL, or SECAM.

The digital remodulator 106 takes the transport stream 208 and createsan analog modulated signal suitable for frequency conversion by thefrequency converter 108 and reception by a digital TV receiver 110. Thedigital remodulator 106 is comprised of a DSP 210 for error correctionand other signal conditioning functions, a digital to analog converter212, and a QAM or VSB modulator 214. The output of this section will bean IF signal at baseband 216 which is ready for the next step offrequency conversion.

The frequency converter 108 takes the IF signal 216 and heterodynes thesignal into the desired transmission frequency signal using industrystandard methods, using a mixer 220 and a phase locked loop (PPL) 224frequency generator, and provides adequate signal amplification byamplifier 222 for transmission via the antenna 218. The carrierfrequency could be fixed or selectable using a switch, and there may besome means of letting the user know the channel on the TV to tune to forreceiving the broadcast content.

An optional Ethernet interface 230 is also shown receiving Ethernetsignals 203. The input section could be wired or wireless. The Ethernetinterface 230 would take the incoming stream and manipulate the streamsuch that the output would be a compatible transport stream 208 forfurther processing by the digital remodulator 106. For a lower costsolution over an Ethernet interface 230, the TS converter 104 could beremoved.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram indicating the stages used to displaycontent on television receiver 110. Initially, a user connects a contentsource, such as a DVD player, set top box, or VCR, to the LCC 100. Ifnot already present, the user attaches a small antenna to the TVreceiver 110. The TV receiver 110 is tuned to the desired channel eitherautomatically or with user intervention to receive signals from the LCC100. Using a wireless connection or a physical connection, the LCC 100then receives content (stage 304).

Then a series of conversions is performed. The content source isconverted to a transport stream (stage 306). The transport stream is fedto the process signal remodulator (stage 308), where the signal istransformed into a baseband signal compatible with the televisionreceiver's 110 digital cable or digital terrestrial receptioncapabilities. The baseband signal is then up converted to theappropriate frequency band (stage 310) corresponding to the channel thatthe TV is set to. Finally, the signal is amplified using a lower poweramplifier circuit and sent as a low power transmission (stage 312) overan antenna to the television receiver 110.

Television receiver 110 then receives content from the LCC 100 via thelow power transmission. By using the LCC 100, content source materialcan be displayed on the TV receiver 110 without a physical wiredconnection.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustration of components within an alternateembodiment of the LCC 100 designed in accordance with anotherimplementation of the present invention. LCC 100 includes a transportstream (TS) encoder 104, a digital remodulator 106, and a frequencyconverter 108 that sends the content to the TV receiver 110. Also shownis an optional Ethernet interface 230. In addition, there is a tuner andtuner interface for additional functionality. In this embodiment, thetuner input 402 is fed to a tuner 404 to receive the desired digital TVstandard. The output of the tuner 404 can be fed into a demodulator 406for conversion into the desired transport stream format 410. The digitalremodulator 106 can insert MPEG I-frames or MPEG I, B, P motion framesinto the transport stream for on-screen display purposes, or stillpictures, and the remodulator 106 changes the transport stream into thedesired modulation output type 216. Alternatively, the tuner IF outputcan be fed directly to the frequency converter 108 for transmission asdescribed earlier. The benefit of this approach is, for digital TV-onlyreception, it would be possible to remove the TS converter 104 entirelyfor a lower cost solution. Another unique attribute of this design is ittransmodulates the input content source to an output content source.

Demodulator 406 could be satellite, VSB or QAM (for the US), or DVB-T orDVB-C (for Europe) to transmodulate the content source into a formatcompatible for the target TV receiver. For example, the demodulator 406could demodulate a VSB signal from the tuner into a transport streamthat is then remodulated into a QAM signal suitable for digital TV'swith “Clear QAM” reception capabilities. Demodulation by demodulator 406followed by remodulation by remodulator 106 into the same or a differentmodulation standard for the purposes of low-power transmission enables avariety of demodulators and digital TVs to be used in this invention.

The tuner 404 can scan for weak channels for optimal localized in-bandtransmission to the TV, as strong local channels would impact theeffective range of the transmitter 218. The benefit of this design isthat it is extremely efficient in handling digital broadcast signalswherein the tuned input signal 402 is followed by frequency converter108 for in-band low-power transmission to a receiving digital TV.

The frequency converter 108 has a programmable output range toaccommodate any number of channels on the receiving TV in either cableor terrestrial broadcast mode of operation.

Unique to this system is the use of cable modulation standards in alow-power wireless broadcast environment. This is done to save cost, asQAM modulators are low-cost and commercially readily available. Uniqueto this system is the ability to place a plurality of input sources on atransport bus (as transport stream 208), followed by a digitalremodulator 106 to create an IF stream for conversion to a userselectable low-power in-band transmission frequency.

This system employs a unique down-up conversion technique wherein theinput tuned source goes to a tuner 404 for down conversion to anintermediate frequency, which is (after the digital remodulator 106) upconverted to an in-band programmed frequency using a frequency converter108.

This method is also capable of creating a plurality oflocalized/personal content channels by using many LCCs in parallel. Thismethod could also support multiple input sources by switching the inputto the LCC 100. The output of the LCC 100 could be one or a plurality oflow-power RF output signals mapped to one or a plurality of RF channels.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the LCC 100 receiving video/audio contentfrom content sources 102 and suitably converting the content sourceoriginal format signals to an RF signal that can be processed by thedigital TV receiver 110. Instead of transmitting the RF signal using anantenna, the RF signal is directly coupled to the RF input of the TVreceiver 110 using a standard coaxial cable 450. Since the RF signal isnot being transmitted via the antenna, the RF signal may be any desiredfrequency that can be received by the TV receiver 110. Such anembodiment greatly reduces the number of cables required in order todisplay the video content from the content sources 102 on the TV.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the LCC 110 transmitting on an ISM band(Industrial, Scientific, Medical band). An antenna 458 for the ISM bandsignals is connected to an input of an ISM receiver 460, whose output isconnected to an input of the digital TV receiver 110. The ISM receiver460 may be very small and powered by any type of power source. The ISMband is an allowable band for transmission for short distances. Examplesof allowable ISM band frequencies include 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.The ISM receiver 460 converts the ISM signal into a signal that can beprocessed by the TV receiver 110. Since the ISM receiver 460 can beconfigured to convert the signal into any format, the output of the ISMreceiver 460 can be connected to any compatible input of the TV receiver110.

The LCC 100 may include a conventional RF or infra-red receiver forreceiving control signals from a conventional remote control to turn theLCC on or off, select the video content source, select the channeloutput frequency, select the range, and to control other aspects. TheLCC 100 may also be controlled by a computer system using an Ethernetlink, a WiFi interface, an Internet connection, or an RF interface. Anautomatic program running on a computer may also control the LCC 100.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims areto encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications asfall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

1. A video content conversion system comprising: a plurality oflocalized digital televisions, each digital television having anexternal RF port for receiving a terrestrial broadcast signal and aninternal tuner settable to different channels for accessing a particularterrestrial broadcast channel; at least one converter having at leastone input receiving video signals conveying a plurality of differentvideo content, each video content being associated with a differentchannel, wherein the video signals conveying the plurality of differentvideo content are original format signals, the at least one converterconverting the original format signals for the plurality of differentvideo content to at least one low power RF transmission so as towirelessly transmit multiple channels for simultaneous local receptionby the digital televisions tuned to different channels to display theplurality of different video content simultaneously, the at least one RFtransmission having a format capable of being demodulated by the digitaltelevisions so that the video content associated with a channel isdisplayed on a screen of any of the televisions tuned to receive thatparticular channel, a frequency and bandwidth of the at least one RFtransmission being within a specified operating range for a standardterrestrial broadcast transmission; and a passive antenna directlycoupled to the RF input port of each of the digital televisions forwirelessly receiving the low power at least one RF transmission, whereinthe tuner internal to each television is set to a channel to displayvideo content within an associated one of the at least one RFtransmission, there being no active powered components between theantenna and the RF input port of each television, wherein the at leastone RF transmission is in a format such that a receiver in eachtelevision whose tuner is set to a channel associated with a particularone of the at least one RF transmission does not distinguish between theRF transmission and a conventional terrestrial broadcast.
 2. The systemof claim 1 wherein the format of the at least one RF transmission is anyone of NTSC, ATSC, QAM, DVB-C/T, ISDB-T, VSB, and PAL
 3. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one converter receives the original formatsignal in any one of the following formats: NTSC, PAL, SECAM, compositeor component digital TV signals, CVBS, YbPbR, RGB, S-Video, and HDMI. 4.The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one converter receives theoriginal format signal in any one of the following formats: NTSC, PAL,SECAM, composite or component digital TV signals, CVBS, YbPbR, RGB,S-Video, and HDMI, and the at least one converter then converts theoriginal format signal into the at least one RF transmission in any oneof the following formats: ATSC, QAM, DVB-C/T, ISDB-T, and VSB.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the original format signals are basebandsignals.
 6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality ofvideo content sources coupled to the at least one converter and applyingoriginal format signals to the at least one converter.
 7. The system ofclaim 6 wherein the video content sources are any of the following: aDVD player, a set top box, and a computer.
 8. The system of claim 1wherein the at least one converter is configured to generate an MPEG orH.264 transport stream from video content sources and digitally modulatethe transport stream as the at least one RF transmission for receptionby the digital televisions.
 9. The system of claim 1 further comprisinga plurality of video content sources coupled to the at least oneconverter and applying the original format signals to the at least oneconverter, wherein the plurality of video content sources generate theoriginal format signals in different formats to the at least oneconverter, the at least one converter converting the different formatsto a common format for RF transmission to the digital televisions. 10.The system of claim 1 wherein the original format signals are derivedfrom at least one RF transmission received by the at least one convertercontaining the plurality of video content, wherein the at least oneconverter converts the at least one RF transmission received by the atleast one converter into a VSB or QAM format for transmission to theantenna coupled to the associated digital televisions.
 11. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one converter transmits signals to thetelevisions using at least one television channel in the frequency rangeof 289.25 MHz-883.25 MHz.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the at leastone converter transmits MPEG I frames or MPEG I, B, P motion frames foran on-screen display menu or other still pictures on the televisions.13. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one converter iscontrolled remotely using a wireless remote control.
 14. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one converter is controlled by a remotecomputer using at least one of an interface, an Internet connection, oran automatic program.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least oneconverter adds information to the plurality of video content fortransmission to the televisions.
 16. The system of claim 1 wherein theat least one converter converts baseband signals to an intermediatefrequency (IF) signal prior to conversion to the at least one RFtransmission.
 17. A method performed by video content conversion systemcomprising: receiving video signals, by at least one converter,conveying a plurality of different video content, each video contentbeing associated with a different channel, wherein the video signalsconveying the plurality of different video content are original formatsignals; converting, by the at least one converter, the original formatsignals for the plurality of different video content to at least one lowpower RF transmission so as to wirelessly transmit multiple channels forsimultaneous local reception by a plurality of digital televisions tunedto different channels to display the plurality of different videocontent simultaneously, each digital television having an external RFport for receiving a terrestrial broadcast signal and an internal tunersettable to different channels for accessing a particular terrestrialbroadcast channel, the at least one RF transmission having a formatcapable of being demodulated by the digital televisions so that thevideo content associated with a channel is displayed on a screen of anyof the televisions tuned to receive that particular channel, a frequencyand bandwidth of the at least one RF transmission being within aspecified operating range for a standard terrestrial broadcasttransmission; and wirelessly receiving, by a passive antenna directlycoupled to the RF input port of each of the digital televisions, the lowpower at least one RF transmission, wherein the tuner internal to eachtelevision is set to a channel to display video content within anassociated one of the at least one RF transmission, there being noactive powered components between the antenna and the RF input port ofeach television, wherein the at least one RF transmission is in a formatsuch that a receiver in each television whose tuner is set to a channelassociated with a particular one of the at least one RF transmissiondoes not distinguish between the RF transmission and a conventionalterrestrial broadcast.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the originalformat signals are baseband signals.
 19. The system of claim 1 whereinthe at least one RF transmission comprise a plurality of RFtransmissions.
 20. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least oneconverter comprises a plurality of converters.